The Problem of Evil and Atheist Hypocrisy

July 25, 2016

1 min read

Atheists make a big fuss about the “problem of evil” and how they cannot in good conscience accept that God exists in the face of a world full of innocent people suffering tremendously due to disease and poverty. Curiously, they are not equally perturbed by the prospect of innocent people suffering tremendously at the hands of the wicked who themselves live comfortable lives and will never have to face any consequence or repercussion for their crimes.

And when you think about it, which scenario ought to be more troubling? In the world of the theist, innocent people who suffered due to disease and poverty will ultimately be recompensed for the pain they endured. But in the world of the atheist, evil is never requited.

How ironic, then, for atheists to accuse the God they don’t believe in of being unjust when they are otherwise perfectly content with the idea of a world without ultimate justice.

Atheists make a big fuss about the "problem of evil" and how they cannot in good conscience accept that God exists in…

Evil, in and of itself, does nothing to prove whether or not there is a God. The ‘problem’ of evil, really only speaks to the character of this God: if God is all-powerful, all-good, and all-seeing, then it would seem that there should be no evil. If you posited a God who was malevolent, incompetent, and/or blind to our suffering, I wouldn’t says this was problematic in light of evil. (Though I’m sure we could debate whether this could rightfully be called God.)

As such, the atheist does not have a “problem of evil.” Evil (as actions and deeds, not as some sort of ‘spiritual’ force) simply is. It is unfortunate; it is terribly saddening; but it’s existence it not problematic.

I am not content with the world being unjust. I want to do what I can in my life to make it otherwise, but no, I do not see any reason to believe that there is any “ultimate” form of justice.

I think there is a marked difference in that God presumably has agency. God *chose* to create a world in which there is evil and so atheists make the inference that He by extension is evil for doing such a thing. Many atheists are filled with resentment and hatred towards Being and think that if in fact God existed, He either a) should not have created the world or b) should not have created it with any suffering. They think existence as it is is so terrible that it can only be endured and not celebrated, if it was in fact inflicted upon humanity by such a malevolent Creator. Their suffering, which is mostly a consequence of their choices and actions (though they don’t realize this) makes them want to rebel and make Being as terrible as possible because it should not exist to begin with – this is the position of Iblees. Misery loves company, which is why some atheists proselytize.

On the other hand, if the operating principle of the universe is chance, then there is no agent to blame. The world is what is it is, it sucks, and we have to make the best of it. There is no ultimate burden and responsibility, which allows a temporary freedom that appears to make Being slightly more endurable to these dark, malevolent, diseased hearts – but which in fact make things worse. If only they knew. If only they surrendered, they would see how glorious Being can be, and how wonderful existence is.

In short, the problem for atheists is not that there is no ultimate justice or that life is suffering – it is the idea that the suffering is inflicted from above that they despise. This is because for them it is ultimately about avoiding responsibility. They don’t want any Creator to be responsible for being, and they themselves don’t want ultimate accountability for their moral choices – they just want freedom, sensory pleasure and to avoid pain. A universe without God allows this. But soon they shall know.

I think there is a marked difference in that God presumably has agency. God *chose* to create a world in which there is evil and so atheists make the inference that He by extension is evil for doing such a thing. Many atheists are filled with resentment and hatred towards Being and think that if in fact God existed, He either a) should not have created the world or b) should not have created it with any suffering. They think existence as it is is so terrible that it can only be endured and not celebrated, if it was in fact inflicted upon humanity by such a malevolent Creator. Their suffering, which is mostly a consequence of their choices and actions (though they don’t realize this) makes them want to rebel and make Being as terrible as possible because it should not exist to begin with – this is the position of Iblees. Misery loves company, which is why some atheists proselytize.

On the other hand, if the operating principle of the universe is chance, then there is no agent to blame. The world is what is it is, it sucks, and we have to make the best of it. There is no ultimate burden and responsibility, which allows a temporary freedom that appears to make Being slightly more endurable to these dark, malevolent, diseased hearts – but which in fact make things worse. If only they knew. If only they surrendered, they would see how glorious Being can be, and how wonderful existence is.

In short, the problem for atheists is not that there is no ultimate justice or that life is suffering – it is the idea that the suffering is inflicted from above that they despise. This is because for them it is ultimately about avoiding responsibility. They don’t want any Creator to be responsible for being, and they themselves don’t want ultimate accountability for their moral choices – they just want freedom, sensory pleasure and to avoid pain. A universe without God allows this. But soon they shall know.